No one could miss the patriotism, sensitivity and community spirit displayed by city retailers in response to the World Trade Center tragedy.

But, with stores about to enter the fourth quarter and the make-or-break holiday sales period, they are now trying to reconcile marketing plans, many in place for up to a year, with the altered social and cultural landscape.

“We’re taking another look at our plans for the holiday, but we haven’t really decided what we’re going to do,” said Teril Turner, director of marketing at Henri Bendel.

“We’re watching it on a week-by-week basis because the nature of the situation could change. We’re being extra careful to be considerate of our customers’ feelings.”

That approach makes sense, said marketing expert Peter Levine, president of D/G Consulting, a brand image firm, adding that “new” values will be more important to consumers.

“Community, permanence, security, honesty, hope, sincerity and banding together” are what count now, he said, adding that “consumers will be looking for value for the dollar.”

“There is a quest to be more honest with the consumers,” he said. “I have to believe that creativity will come out of this.

“Retailers can rise to the occasion when they have to . . . to tell consumers they’re not just a store, they’re just as unhappy about this as you are.”

Some specialty retailers, especially those with hundreds of locations nationwide, are not making changes.

And while Macy’s is currently mulling whether changes should be made to its Thanksgiving Day Parade, the store’s holiday windows will remain the same as planned, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the parade and featuring “Miracle on 34th Street.”